Uncle Silas eBook

I was not very well. Lady Knollys had gone out
for a walk. She was not easily tired, and sometimes
made a long excursion. The sun was setting now,
when Mary Quince brought me a letter which had just
arrived by the post. My heart throbbed violently.
I was afraid to break the broad black seal. It
was from Uncle Silas. I ran over in my mind all
the unpleasant mandates which it might contain, to
try and prepare myself for a shock. At last I
opened the letter. It directed me to hold myself
in readiness for the journey to Bartram-Haugh.
It stated that I might bring two maids with me if
I wished so many, and that his next letter would give
me the details of my route, and the day of my departure
for Derbyshire; and he said that I ought to make arrangements
about Knowl during my absence, but that he was hardly
the person properly to be consulted on that matter.
Then came a prayer that he might be enabled to acquit
himself of his trust to the full satisfaction of his
conscience, and that I might enter upon my new relations
in a spirit of prayer.

I looked round my room, so long familiar, and now
so endeared by the idea of parting and change.
The old house—­dear, dear Knowl, how could
I leave you and all your affectionate associations,
and kind looks and voices, for a strange land!

With a great sigh I took Uncle Silas’s letter,
and went down stairs to the drawing-room. From
the lobby window, where I loitered for a few moments,
I looked out upon the well-known forest-trees.
The sun was down. It was already twilight, and
the white vapours of coming night were already filming
their thinned and yellow foliage. Everything looked
melancholy. How little did those who envied the
young inheritrex of a princely fortune suspect the
load that lay at her heart, or, bating the fear of
death, how gladly at that moment she would have parted
with her life!

Lady Knollys had not yet returned, and it was darkening
rapidly; a mass of black clouds stood piled in the
west, through the chasms of which was still reflected
a pale metallic lustre.

The drawing-room was already very dark; but some streaks
of this cold light fell upon a black figure, which
would otherwise have been unseen, leaning beside the
curtains against the window frame.

It advanced abruptly, with creaking shoes; it was
Doctor Bryerly.

I was startled and surprised, not knowing how he had
got there. I stood staring at him in the dusk
rather awkwardly, I am afraid.

‘How do you do, Miss Ruthyn?’ said he,
extending his hand, long, hard, and brown as a mummy’s,
and stooping a little so as to approach more nearly,
for it was not easy to see in the imperfect light.
’You’re surprised, I dare say, to see
me here so soon again?’

’I did not know you had arrived. I am glad
to see you, Doctor Bryerly. Nothing unpleasant,
I hope, has happened?’

’No, nothing unpleasant, Miss. The will
has been lodged, and we shall have probate in due
course; but there has been something on my mind, and
I’m come to ask you two or three questions which
you had better answer very considerately. Is
Miss Knollys still here?’